Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 GMC Jimmy owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the front and rear windshield wipers began to intermittently work. This was over a period of three months and later stopped working all together. Consumer did not take the vehicle to a dealer for any repairs because it was no longer under warranty. The transmission did not shift properly after acceleration for a period of about thirty seconds, and then it shifted into gear. The ABS was delayed when applying brake pressure. The brakes locked, and then the vehicle slid. The brakes pads were replaced every three months, this has been ongoing for the last two years. The steering wheel pulled to the right continuously, an alignment was performed a year ago but it did not correct the problem. In January 2004 the vehicle was involved in an accident, it struck a parked car at a speed of about 30 MPH and the air bags did not deploy. This was front impact. …
Tl contact owns a 1998 GMC Jimmy. While driving less than 15 MPH down a steep, wet road, the brakes failed and the vehicle crashed into a guardrail. The bumper and headlamps were damaged. The vehicle is currently at the body shop and will be taken to the dealer for an ABS diagnosis. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 97V218000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The dealer information was unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 113,000.
I was driving in Mexico last nov 18th 2004 -jan 1st 2005 I was driving on bumpy roads and high usage of brakes on poor roads . ABS failed and when I hit paved roads the brakes came back to like new system, then in July of this year I was driving down dirt road and went around a corner and it was like I had no brakes again I want the ABS removed from all of my cars now it is a bad system . I am a trained driver I have sub contracted to kelly haze as a ABS recorder for new vehicle.
GMC Jimmy 1998 cars reached 34000 miles anti- lock brake light comes on. At low speed sometimes (5-10 MPH) anti-lock comes on and truck take a while to stop. This problem is same as NHTSA campaign id number : 05V379000 GM recall no. 05068 and should also include 1998 GMC Jimmy also. Spoke to GMC and was told this car is covered for this recall.
Dt: the contact stated ABS brakes were doing the exact same thing as mentioned in recall 05V379000. While driving 10 MPH the ABS kicked in, causing a delay in stopping. She noticed that this happened about one month ago. It was random , but now every time she goes 10 MPH or below and stops the ABS kick in.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's right rear brakeline cracked. The contact expressed they would not take the vehicle to a service dealer because the repair work would not be covered under a recall. The contact stated the fractured brakeline was visible.
Ignition switch: gauges went to zero, all idiot lights came on, car would not accelerate pulling into traffic on busy highway, narrowly escaped accident when gauges came back on, idiot lights went out, and engine accelerated normally. Did this again in our driveway twice the next week. Took to dealer, mack brown inc., in boone, nc, not the selling dealer, car was under warranty at the time. They kept it several days and called to say it was fixed. When went to pick up vehicle, I asked what they had replaced, and they admitted they had done nothing, and said the diagnosis computer showed so many potential problems they didn't know what to replace first. I told them to keep it until it was fixed, that I wasn't putting my kids in it until it was fixed, and got in my older and higher mileage Mercedes which has never had a single problem, and left. …
The engine continually misfires. There is a TSB bulletin #00-06-04-003b. Deposit buildup on popped valve ball &/or seat, causing it to stick. There is a recall because of this but only in california. I live in alaska. I got an estimate of $1200 bucks to fix this problem. Because of this, I only get 5-7 mpg, and have little power. Also, my ABS light turns on and the ABS activates at low speeds on dry ground. My electrical system is totally messed up. My right clicker just the sound not light) goes off when driving. It is completely erratic and unpredictable. My speakers turn off and on sporadically. My driver side seat adjuster broke off with little pressure. My steering wheel continuously pulls to the right. This many problems in a vehicle is ridiculous. What a lemon. Especially since I have seen the same exact complaints all over this sight about this specific vehicle.
The ABS light is on in my 1998 GMC Jimmy. I have heard about a recall about this particular item, but my truck isn't qualified for it. I'm wondering why and if there is anything I can do to get it to. There is something with the sensor and corroding in the recall. I believe that May be my problem. I haven't fixed it yet because I was hoping it would be under the recall. What happens is if the light were to come off, my brakes lock up. In the recall, it mentions that this sensor getting corroded causes slow traffic accidents. I haven't gotten into any accidents, but I would like to know if it would be under the recall before I have to spend the money to get it fixed.
I haven't gotten into any accidents, but I'm affraid I will. The recall out there right now having to do with the ABS and brake system, I feel the same is wrong with my vehicle, but since it's a 1998 with 96000 miles on it, no one will help me out. My vehicle does the exact same description that the recall describes. I unfortunately can not afford to fix it at this time and it's pretty scary having to drive out there knowing that it's possible I might cause an accident. I was pretty disappointed that GMC would not help in solving the issue. Even just to help out in the cost a little bit would be helpful.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. A fatigue fracture of the rear axle right-hand brake pipe can occur causing a slow brake fluid leak resulting in a soft brake pedal.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the brake pipe.
Brake complaints in other Jimmy years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 GMC Jimmy?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 GMC Jimmy, 13% of the model year's 238 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 GMC Jimmy brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 97V-218 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Nov 24, 1997). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 GMC Jimmy brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.